Unconfirmed reports started popping up on Twitter earlier this morning, but it has now been confirmed Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys has passed away from his battle with cancer at the age of 47.

Yauch co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D, Mix Master Mike, and Ad Roc. The group has won multiple Grammys.Yauch became a vegan at the recommendation of his doctors and is survived by his wife and daughter. [photogallerylink id=121153 align=right]

Yauch revealed he had cancer in a salivary gland in his neck back in July of 2009, and had to miss the groups induction into the Rock and Roll hall of fame last month. “Beastie Boys regret that Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch will be unable to join Mike ‘Mike D’ Diamond and Adam ‘Adrock’ Horovitz at the band’s induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in April,” read a statement from the group. “Mike, Adam and Adam are truly grateful for the honor but with only two of the three Beastie Boys attending, they will unfortunately not be able to perform at the ceremony.”

Last year, Yauch had announced that he was optimistic about treatment, but was not yet cancer-free.